Frequency of Celiac Disease in Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Shakir Ullah; Salma Zeb; Anisa Malik

doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v6i4.2304

Authors

Shakir Ullah Department of Medicine, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan
Salma Zeb Department of Medicine, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan
Anisa Malik Department of Medicine, Jinnah Teaching hospital Peshawar, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v6i4.2304

Keywords:

Breastfeeding Practices, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Predominant Breastfeeding, Partial Breastfeeding, Maternal Employment

Abstract

Coeliac disease is an immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically susceptible individuals. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common extraintestinal manifestations of coeliac disease and may be the sole presenting feature in some patients. Early identification of coeliac disease among patients with IDA is essential to prevent long-term complications and improve clinical outcomes. Objective: To determine the frequency of coeliac disease among patients presenting with iron deficiency anemia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine at Lady Reading Hospital from 18-May-2024 to 18-November-2024. A total of 218 patients aged 20–60 years of either gender with iron deficiency anemia, defined as a serum ferritin level below 50 ng/mL, were enrolled. Patients with malignancy, chronic kidney disease, cardiac disease, or liver disease were excluded. All participants underwent clinical evaluation and serological testing for coeliac disease, including total IgA, IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase (IgA-tTG), and IgA anti-endomysial antibodies (IgA-EMA). Positive cases were confirmed by duodenal biopsy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations between coeliac disease and demographic variables were assessed using appropriate statistical tests, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 39.76 ± 11.92 years. There were 119 (54.6%) males and 99 (45.4%) females. Coeliac disease was diagnosed in 23 patients, yielding a frequency of 10.6%. Among patients diagnosed with coeliac disease, abdominal pain was reported by 9 (39.1%) patients, while headache was reported by 4 (17.4%). No statistically significant associations were observed between coeliac disease and age group, gender, or place of residence (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: Coeliac disease was identified in 10.6% of patients presenting with iron deficiency anemia. Given this notable frequency, screening for coeliac disease should be considered in patients with unexplained iron deficiency anemia to facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate management.

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